posted July 3, 2008 at 18:01 in Tennis Betting Trends

London, England – When the French Open final betting dawned on a three-peat finale between Federer-Nadal , the tennis betting markets heated up as sports betting faithful came out in droves, willing to wager on Federer, desperately wanting the maestro to win his first-ever French Open title. Now, with the Wimbledon final only a bet away, the unprecedented notion that Wimbledon could also deliver a Federer-Nadal three-peat almost destined to happen, just like in the French Open final, the Wimbledon betting markets are shifting in favour of a first-ever Wimbledon title victory for Nadal.

Before the Federer-Nadal rivalry in Grand Slam finals, no two same players in the Open Era made it to back-to-back Grand Slam finals and three-times at that! Yet here we are on the verge of betting on the Wimbledon semi-final, a sensational third instalment of their great billing a victory away from becoming a reality. Standing in the path of their inextricably drawn collision course is the mighty Safin and mighty mouse Schuettler (sorry fans, but in terms of threats the comparison seemed appropriate).

Leading up to Wimbledon, there had been some speculation about Federer stock in the tennis betting markets (insert little shiver here) and when the draw came out with Djokovic in the top half, looming as a potential semi-final encounter for Federer, the belief that the Serbian could knock him off his grass-court perch spread rampantly. But it was not to be as vintage Safin emerged in the second round, mowing Djokovic down in straight sets on the perfectly manicured lawns of the All England Club.

Roger Federer’s triumph over Mario Ancic in the quarterfinal was breathtaking and quite rightly deserved the standing ovation it received. At one point during the match when a bug landed at his feet on Centre Court, Federer, a gentle bloke, tried to steer it safely out of the way with his racquet. But he had no such compassion for Ancic as he brutally and cruelly dismantled “baby Ivanisevic.” (For those concerned about the fate of the bug, alas a ball boy marched up and crushed the insect under foot. It was not a happy end.) Neither was it for Ancic as a keen eye would notice that in the 6-1, 7-5, 6-4 victory, Federer relinquished only TEN points on his serve! Federer looked so comfortable on Centre Court he could have taken out a pipe and slippers to go with his cardigan during the changeovers! He never let the 6’5” Croatian into the match.

Rafael Nadal followed Federer onto court yesterday and as if by some agreement, he was not to be outdone. The matador muscled his way past Scot Andy Murray, putting on an awesome display of tennis as he powered to a 6-3, 6-2, 6-4. Only a keen eye would notice he too relinquished but TEN points on his serve! So thorough was Nadal’s beating of young Murray – everyone had nicknamed “Braveheart” after his five set triumph over Richard Gasquet in the R16 – that he was predicting Nadal could defeat Roger Federer should they meet in the final.

Generous words in defeat or uncanny foresight. Hmmmm?

Like every good rivalry, there are two perspectives, and Federer’s Wimbledon success is every bit as wonderful as Nadal’s French Open success. In the midst of their stories is the back-story of Bjorn Borg and his records at both these Grand Slam events. In 2007, Nadal came close to beating Federer in the Wimbledon final. But as Bjorn Borg looked on, his record of five Wimbledon titles and his feat in winning back-to-back French Open and Wimbledon crowns on the line, Federer’s day came at the All England Club as in an epic five set battle his historical moment won through. So the question is what story will be scripted at the 2008 Wimbledon final? Should the Federer-Nadal feature in the Wimbledon final once again, Bjorn Borg will sit once again courtside. He tips Nadal for the victory. I pick Nadal for the victory. Whom do you pick?

Nila Amerova is a freelance sports writer and regular contributor to the BetUS.com Locker Room